Got my manifold today. Just have a couple questions.

Is the gasket that comes with it worth using out should I go get a Fel-pro?

Should I consider painting it? Does that help anything such as longevity or anything our would it just be pain in my *** with no real pay off.


And lastly it came with 2 nuts and 2 bolts. Shouldn't I go ahead and get all the hardware and just replace it all while it's out?

Any other words of wisdom?

 

No idea what the gasket looks like so no advice there, just use some of that high temp copper spray stuff on the install and clean the manifold/block up well before hand.

You can't toss any old bolt/nut and washers on for the manifolds, so reuse the ones you have, don't lose them lol, the two bolts are probably for where the manifold meets the down pipe, you'll probably need those if the old ones are anything close to the few I've dealt with.

Personally I wouldn't bother with any paint or anything...

 

I'm such a dumb *** sometimes
Didn't even think about the downpipe bolts. I'm sure that's what it is. Thanks. Still curious about the gasket.

 

I would replace ALL the exhaust bolts and nuts that you remove. Don't go pulling studs unless they are damaged.. But don't reuse exhaust bolts/nuts Anyparts house with a computer can look them up. While there compare the gasket you have to a felpro, then decide.

 

I'm pretty new to this. What should I look for in a gasket? Or will the difference in quality more than likely be obvious?

 

Where is your manifold from? I have had to swap my mani about 4 times in 2 years - I have never changed the hardware except for the down pipe bolts bc those can get frozen.

Just pb bast all the originals the night before. I had to cut the down pipe bolts if I remember right the first time. They freeze up if they are the originals.

Best of luck - not a fun job but there are a ton of write ups on it.

Also blast all of your power steering belt tensioner etc.

 

Been blasting everything since I found out I was going to be replacing it. By the time I do it it should have a good 6 weeks of blasting on it. Hopefully everything breaks loose alright.

I am also changing motor mounts and changing my passenger side engine bracket at the same time. Along with a flex pipe in the down pipe. Hopefully all that keeps it from cracking again.

Found out the bolts are 3/8-16 x 1 1/4". And also to use silicon bronze bolts. It took a while
but I found a thread where 5-90 and salad were on the subject a few years ago so that was enlightening.

Also decided to get a different manifold gasket. I took the one that came with it out and got to looking at it under good light and it looks like it's been creased at some point.

 

I used the gasket supplied with my APN header along with copper gasket spray. Check out my how to article.

 

Already have it saved and printed.Ordered my motor mounts and right side bracket from Brown Dog yesterday. Trying to figure out what transmission mount to get now.

 

I got mine from Napa or Autozone one. Cant remember. Works fine. PB Blast the bolts. I broke one of mine. Pain in the rectal cavity to remedy.

 

Agreed. It will just burn off.